INGREDIENTS:
• 5 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats (see notes below for gluten-free)
• 1/2 cup of ground walnuts
• 2 hand-fulls of sunflower seeds
• 2 hand-fulls of pumpkin seeds
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp of Himalayan Fine Grain Salt
• 1/2 cup of avocado oil or olive oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tsp of vanilla pure extract
• 1 cup of dried fruit (such as dried Cranberries)

FINISHING FLAVORS:
• 1 cup of carob chips
• coconut flakes

TOOLS:
• 1 medium-large size bowl
• Mixing spatula
• 1 large, rimmed baking sheet
• Non-stick spray or parchment paper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (or if you don’t have parchment paper, spray with a non-stick spray). Make sure your oven rack is placed at the second level from the top (just above the middle). If the oven rack is too low, your oats will burn.
2. In a medium-large size mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: oats, nut, seeds, salt and ground cinnamon. 
3. Next, pour in the oil, honey, and vanilla and mix until every single oat is covered fully. 
4. Pour oat mixture onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer (should be about a 1/2 thick).
5. Bake for 10 minutes and take out of oven briefly to stir granola. After you stir granola on baking sheet, smooth out into a flat layer again and place back in oven and bake for another 8 minutes. (It should be golden brown after 8-9 minutes in the oven.)
6. Remove from oven and stir once more and allow to cool.
7. Once granola is cooled, mix in cranberries or other mix-ins. Store in a cool, dry place. (I keep mine in my fridge.)

NOTE:
• This recipe can be made gluten-free if you purchase gluten-free rolled oats. The thing that makes them gluten-free is that the processing facility has not also processed wheat or gluten products.*
• Not only will making your own granola save you money, but it will also be free of any added preservatives which can affect sensitive endocrine systems such as women with PCOS.
• We fill a snack-sized ziplock bag and place these ready-to-go servings in a plastic bin in the fridge. They go quick with five kids, but it’s great to know they are eating a healthy snack! You can also store in a glass Mason jar with an oxygen packet as well for a few weeks. 
• Don’t have time to make a quick batch of healthy homemade granola? Here are some granola options that are healthier to choose from:

• Atkins Chocolate Chip Granola Bar
• Atkins Peanut Butter Granola Bar
• Blackberry Hill Granola – Sugar Free
• Blackberry Hill Granola – No Sir No Nuts
• Hemp Hearts High Energy Crumbles / Granola
• Julian Bakery ProGranola Peanut Butter Cluster
• Julian Bakery ProGranola Vanilla Cinnamon Cluster
• Nature Trails Protein Chewy Granola Bars – Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
• SOLA Granola (any flavor)

 

This recipe is Gluten-free*, Corn-free, Lactose-free, and Refined Sugar-Free.
Credit: PCOSbites.com